[NHCOLL-L:845] Re: compactor systems

[Richard Rabeler]

Doug:

The list of comments John Simmons posted about his compactor installation
contains some very good advice.  I'd like to add a couple of additional
points that I've found useful in planning compactor installations in
herbaria.

1.  If at all possible, visit other museum installations which have
installed similar equipment; company reps should be able to provide local
examples in year area (Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden comes to mind).
Compactor owners should be willing to show you the system and, as often is
the case, the problems they have had will be easy for them to recall and
pass along to you.  Remember that whatever system you do choose you will be
using day in and day out - you will be reminded of the features you don't
like.

2.  Remember John's comments about sales claims.  While you can indeed put a
similar compactor in very different applications, be sure that the compnay
you go with has experience in museum installations.  If they have no idea of
what you do and how you plan to use the system, I'd be suspicious.

3.  I believe that most of the major manufacturers (Spacesaver, Montel,
White, Elecompac) work through local reps.  Contacting the headquarters and
asking for the local rep should work to get you in touch with the proper
people.

4. Two other points about electrical vs. mechanical.  If your power system
is subject to frequent outages, I steer away from electrical.  If you do go
with mechanical, watch for the gear ratio being used in the turning
mechanisms.  How easy is it to turn vs how long do you have to "spin the
wheel" before the aisle opens?

5. Since you are in California, check for seismic codes which may require
that cases be attached to each other.  I know this was the case at the UC
Berkeley herbarium installation.

Sincerely,

Rich Rabeler
Collections Manager, Vascular Plants
University of Michigan Herbarium



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu
[mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu]On Behalf Of John E. Simmons
Sent: Friday, January 12, 2001 2:57 PM
To: dyanega at pop.ucr.edu
Cc: NHCOLL-L at lists.yale.edu
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:843] Re: compactor systems


We installed four floors of compactors for fluid-preserved collections.  It
was
quite a learning experience, to say the least.  Based both on things we did
an
did not do, I would recommend the following:

1.  Hire an architect or engineer to help write the bid specs
2.  Require in the bid that the winning company install a small "test unit"
for
you to both confirm quality of materials and test for weight bearing, etc.
In
the case of an entomology collection, I assume a big issue would be
vibrations
in the system, too.
3.  Although they tried mightly to see us an electrical system, we went with
mechanical, which is what I would recommend.  There are far few moving
parts,
plus you CAN train people using the system to open and close the carriages
carefully.  The companies brag about the smooth operation of electrical
systems, but a mechanical system can be just as smooth with fewer parts to
break and motors to stop working.
4.  Do not depend on the closed compactors for pest control.  Get a system
with
doors in front of the drawers.  Why on earth would you want to open, say, 50
cases of insects for one drawer?  With a door-less system, this is what you
are
doing.  Drawers not only greatly impede the spread of museum collection
pests,
they also preserve much better microenvironments for the long-term stability
of
the collections in the drawers.
5.  Be sceptical of the claims of sales persons.  Although the system we
bought
was of very high quality, several of the individual sales people were very
sleezy and several times untruthful.
6.  Make sure the layout of your system (aisles, clearances, height, etc) is
approved by your local fire marshall.  Don't count on being grandfathered in
under old safety regulations.

Good luck.

John E. Simmons
Natural History Museum
University of Kansas